As the architect travels across the picturesque knolls of Slovenija’s Dolenjska region, his journey starts and finishes with an evaluation of the present. The views of Zaplaz – a pilgrimmage center above the town of Čatež, are all framed by rounded shapes of the hilly landscape. The spots where the soft hills and valleys meet, are accentuated by two churches and three steeples. The factory, which sprouted at the edge of the village in the 1980-ies, stands as the main generator of social life for the wider area.A precast concrete slab entry/administration hall, by itself forms a charming passe-partout to the emerging complex. Extending an invitation to the visitor, it is its ambition to bring the massive structure of the factory into a scale the individual still perceives as tolerable in relation to its environment, both built and natural. The new factory extention is fully sunk into the terrain, with the publicly-accesible plaza in front of the showroom linking the existing and the new entrance, thereby creating a field of transition, where the existing structure is submerged into the new.The new building is formed by the subtraction of voumes. At the point of contact with the existing building, its predominantly concrete facade dematerializes into steel slats.The company philosophy of the client – TEM Čatež, is founded on the value of quality interpersonal relationships. Therefore its owners are commited to building an environment, that enables the holistic well-being of the individual, and which in turn, is shown in the extraordinary business accomplishments.Their new work environment shows how even a utilitarian factory buliding can grow into an enviroment made to human measure.

Mothers home is above all a home – a special one. Architecture responds strongly to its program and tells a livid story.

It can be said it is located between two cities. Situated in the residential area, next to the park bordering the main Ljubljana cemetery its design inspires sense of security and purpose. And these are two essential needs of its occupants.

The concept and the program are clearly readable on the facade. The public ground floor is separated from other more private levels with a strong caesura. And the double facade embraces the house from two sides, with two materials. Strong but delicately formed concrete speaks about safety and fragility, while the double glass facade hides and reflects. The chosen materials offer a feeling of gentle but uncompromising support and security.

The rhythm of transparency hides, reveals and communicates with the environment. It tells the story of a home: safe and warm.